Camino Portugués – Porto to Baiona (by the coast – Senda Litoral)
2023 Prices: Self-guided tours
Number of days
6 or 7 days walking usually booked as a 7 or 8 night package. The extra night is in Porto at the beginning of the itinerary to allow the 33km to Vila do Conde to be split into 22km/11km sections.
Description
Starting off in the beautiful city of Porto (worth a trip in its own right!), you walk 143km to Baiona, either directly along the coastline or slightly inland from it, keeping the Atlantic coast and some beautiful beaches to your left at all times.
Other than the distances covered each day, this is as easy as any Camino walk you will find – the terrain is flat in most places and there isn’t any significant ascending involved.
Options – Add an extra night to allow you to walk from Porto to Matosinhos and then to Vila do Conde over 2 days.
Remember that every trip is unique and we can tailor yours to suit you.
- Groups (6+): €595 per person sharing for 7 nights / €670 pps for 8 nights.
- 4-5 people: €620 per person sharing for 7 nights / €680 pps for 8 nights.
- 2-3 people: €675 per person sharing for 7 nights / €735 pps for 8 nights.
- Accommodation single supplement: €220 for 7 nights / €250 for 8 nights.
- 7/8 nights’ accommodation in ensuite rooms on a B&B basis (typically 3* standard). We choose our accommodations to give you the best value while still maintaining high standards.
- Private airport transfer from Oia or Baiona to Porto airport. (No transfer needed upon arrival in Porto)
- Bag transfer each day.
- Pilgrim Passport – we use those issued by Camino Society Ireland – the only officially-recognised Irish pilgrim passport.
- Detailed walking notes for each stage, as well as ongoing advice and 24/7 emergency phone service.
- The security provided from booking with a licensed and bonded travel agency.
- Flights not included. As a licensed travel agency, we can book your flights for you (€20pp fee applies, no fee for group bookings).
- Travel insurance not included - we recommend that all customers take out adequate travel insurance.
Day 1 – Fly from Dublin to Porto
Explore Portugal’s second city, located on the banks of the Douro. There is so much to see and do in O Porto, home of port wine and the city after which the country itself is named. Wander the medieval streets of the historic centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and start your Camino walk from the magnificent cathedral.
Day 2 – Walk 33km to Vila do Conde
Famous for its incredible aqueduct, spanning 4 km and 999 arches to reach the monastery of Santa Clara, looking down on the town centre. Take a stroll along the banks of the Rio Ave (lending its name to the local football club) from the town centre out to the small falls from where you can walk up to the Santa Clara Monastery. Camino trivia – Vila do Conde is twinned with Ferrol, starting point of the Camino Inglés!
Option – To shorten the day, take a metro from Porto to the beach resort of Matosinhos (it’s the last stop on the blue A line) and shave 11km off your walk. Alternatively, just add an extra day and walk 11km the 1st day after which you return to Porto to enjoy the afternoon there.
Day 3 – Walk 24km to Esposende
Esposende is a is a small seaside town where the Camino runs along its pedestrianised main street to the Matriz church. Your day brings you past plenty of beaches, including the seaside resort of Povoa de Varzim and the picturesque village of Apúlia.
Day 4 – Walk 26km to Viana do Castelo
A city of 35,000 people, Viana has a rich commercial history as a port and still has a functioning shipyard today. The centre of town is overlooked by the imposing Santa Luzia church on the hillside above – either a steep walk or a funicular trip away!
Day 5 – Walk 18km to Vila Praia de Áncora
If you want to stay by a beautiful beach on this section, this is the spot! Though the town itself is quite small, the beach extends for a number of kilometres along the bay, perfect for an evening stroll followed by dinner in one of the small restaurants fronting on to the beach.
Day 6 – Walk 24km to Oia
Oia is a little hamlet, dominated by the large monastery overlooking the small horseshoe beach. With a choice of 3-4 restaurants, Oia is the perfect antidote to the many large towns you visit, a pretty spot to rest before your final day’s walking. Today is the day that you pass from Portugal into Spain via a ferry from Caminha that takes you across the mouth of the river Minho.
Day 7 – Walk 18km to Baiona
Baiona is a tourist town where all its main sights are within a cluster – the medieval old town streets, the marina and especially the Fortaleza (fort) which houses a Parador (there’s a 3km walk around the bottom of the fort walls).
Day 8 – Fly back
Transfer to Porto (or Santiago) airport for return flight home.
Difference between 7 and 8 night trips
Many people opt for an 8 night trip which involves spending 2 nights in Porto at the start; you have plenty of time to explore Porto and you can also divide the 1st long day of 33km into more manageable chunks of 11km and 22km.
